Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Splash!

Wordless Wednesday: Splash! == Hobo Mama

Wordless Wednesday: Splash! == Hobo Mama

Wordless Wednesday: Splash! == Hobo Mama

Monday, July 29, 2013

Raising daughters to be who they are

This is one in a series of guest posts by other bloggers. Read to the end for a longer biographical note on today's guest blogger, Darcel from The Mahogany Way. Darcel agreed to tackle a topic I never get to address due to the Y chromosomes swarming my house: raising daughters.

Guest post by Darcel of The Mahogany Way

Raising daughters to be who they are == Hobo MamaAre girls easier? That's the question I was asked last week while shopping with the kids. I wasn't sure how to answer that question. My children are still quite young at 8.5 years, 6 years, and 3 years. My oldest was recently diagnosed with Aspergers, and my thoughts on raising her haven't really changed. In fact, I feel even more strongly about supporting her interests and helping her shine.

I wonder if there was such a big hoopla about Barbie and Disney Princesses when I was growing up? I remember spending days with my friend, taking turns on our front porches playing house with our Barbie collections. The top bunk in my bedroom was like a Barbie Utopia. Now there are Bratz dolls, Monster High dolls, Winx dolls, La La Loopsy dolls, and I've seen complaints about all of them. How none of them look like real women. I think it's safe to say that no doll looks like a real woman. Waldorf dolls certainly don't…they barely have a face at all! I don't know about you, but I'm not relying on a child's toy to be my girls' role model for anything in life.

My oldest daughter started watching iCarly just before the show went off the air. Now it's on Netflix, and she can watch from beginning to end. Her new favorite shows for the tween age group are A.N.T Farm, Jessie, Austin and Ally, and Good Luck Charlie. I watch all of these shows with her, and one thing that really bothers me about all of them is the female lead is tall and thin. Austin and Ally and Good Luck Charlie really throw me because their best friend is ethnic and on the curvy side. I've kept these thoughts to myself. I mean, I should be happy that there are any people of color, right? My girls need to see someone who looks like them, so why am I complaining? I have nothing against women who are on the thinner side, but what would be wrong with a show for our young girls where the main characters were a size 10+ and not a size 2?

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Sunday Surf: Free ride

Welcome to the Sunday Surf, a tour of the best blogposts I've read throughout the week.

Sunday Surf: Free ride == Hobo Mama
You know what happiness is when you're 6 and 2?
Finding that someone left out one of those fancy mall rental strollers
in the parking garage and taking turns in the driver's seat.
And then … getting the $1 for returning it!

Good links!

Friday, July 26, 2013

Natural, simple pest control: Fruit flies, fleas, & ants

Natural, simple pest control: Fruit flies, fleas, & ants == Hobo Mama

It's fruit fly season. Time to keep our kitchen compost bin's lid closed and keep control of Rainier cherry pits and other fruity detritus!

If you're suffering from light infestations of common household pests, here are a few natural remedies to rid your home of critters you'd rather stay outside: fruit flies, fleas, and ants, to be specific.

Warning: If you are the catch-and-release type, don't read on. These methods are harmless to humans but not so much to the bugs in question.

FRUIT FLIES

Fruit flies always make me feel like a bad housekeeper, even though we've had them often enough that I recognize they're more of a seasonal certainty. Summer brings ripe fruit, and lots of it, and fruit flies piggyback on all that lushness.

Keeping fruit flies at bay involves diligently removing their food sources while setting out simple traps to diminish the population. Otherwise, they reproduce like … fruit flies!

Take away their food.

Be ruthless about putting away or throwing out fruit and fruit bits. I can't tell you how many cherry pits and stems, apple cores, grape halves (spat out by the little one), and orange and banana peels I've had to sweep into the kitchen scrap bin … because apparently everyone else's arms are broken. No matter. If you don't put them away, the fruit flies will … into their stomachs. See what I did there?

Keep kitchen scraps in a closed container, or do what Teacher Tom recommended to me (genius!) and keep a compostable bag of scraps in the freezer. If you've reached the overflow point (or, preferably, before), walk those scraps on outside to the yard-waste bin or your yard's compost pile.

Clean, clean, clean.

Sticky dishes need to go immediately into the dishwasher or the sink to soak or be cleaned. Fruity rags or napkins need to go into a wet bag or the laundry (or trash … if you're still using paper, you destroyer of trees, heh heh heh). Wipe down counters to get rid of crumbs and juicy puddles. Be sure to regularly clean out your kitchen scrap bin with hot, soapy water.

Trap them.

There are a couple traps that work for fruit flies. They require ingredients you already have around the home plus a measure of patience.
Natural, simple pest control: Fruit flies, fleas, & ants == Hobo Mama
  • Take a small bowl and fill it with no more than about an inch of apple cider vinegar. Place cling wrap over the top (unless you're not using that anymore — good for you; you're ahead of me with that one) and secure with a rubber band. Use a knife or scissors or a fork or whatever to poke tiny little holes in the film. The fruit flies are attracted to the smell of the ACV and will fly into the holes but then not be able to figure out how to fly back out. Or so goes the idea. If they do get back out, try again with smaller or fewer holes.
  • Take a jar and put a piece of fruit in the bottom. Roll up a piece of paper (scrap paper! recycled and reused! you didn't catch me there) into a cone shape and stick it into the jar. Ideally, the top unfurls to the size of the jar top, and the bottom is a tiny hole just above the fruit. Again, flies will go, "Oh! Yummy rotting fruit!" and fly on down, and then buzz around there until they die. Which they do rather quickly, because their life span is very short. I feel like this is a peaceful end, because they got to eat something delicious before they go, but they didn't get to reproduce quite as much. Win, win! 
  • You can obviously switch the baits for each trap. Knock yourself out. I've found the fruit works better, personally, and you can just use whatever scraps you have. Who wouldn't take fruit over apple cider vinegar, though?
Natural, simple pest control: Fruit flies, fleas, & ants == Hobo Mama
This paper was picturesque but stank as a trap. I recommend
something thin: (recycled) notepaper, newspaper, or computer paper

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Calling for submissions for the August 2013 Carnival of Natural Parenting!

We continue to be delighted with the inspiration and wisdom our Carnival of Natural Parenting participants share, and we hope you'll join us for the next carnival in August 2013! (Check out July, June, May, April, March, January, and a summary of all our 2012 posts and 2011 posts if you missed any.)

Your co-hosts are Dionna at Code Name: Mama and Lauren at Hobo Mama.

August 2013 CarNatPar Call: Sibling RevelryHere are the submission details for August 2013:

Theme: Sibling Revelry: What are your thoughts and experiences when it comes to siblings? Tell us something about how your children interact with each other, how you parent each child differently or the same, your plans for child spacing, your intentions to have more than one child or not, or your recollections about your own upbringing with your brothers and sisters. Say whatever you want about the tumultuous and rewarding relationships with those most closely related to us.

Deadline: Tuesday, August 6. Fill out the webform (at the link or at the bottom) and email your submission to us by 11:59 p.m. Pacific time: CarNatPar {at} NaturalParentsNetwork.com

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Breastfeeding at 2



breastfeedingcafecarnivalWelcome to The Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival!

This post was written as part of the Breastfeeding Cafe's Carnival. For more info on the Breastfeeding Cafe, go to www.breastfeedingcafe.wordpress.com. For more info on the Carnival or if you want to participate, contact Claire at clindstrom2 {at} gmail {dot} com. Today's post is breastfeeding photos. Please read the other blogs in today's carnival listed below and check back for more posts July 22nd through August 4th!



Breastfeeding at 2 == Hobo Mama
Even before the fireworks started, Alrik sought some pre-boom comfort.

Breastfeeding at 2 == Hobo Mama

Here he is at his first Fourth by contrast:
Breastfeeding at 2 == Hobo Mama
Aw. He actually did better with the noise back then!

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Carnival of Natural Parenting — 2012 year in review

Hobo Mama: Carnival of Natural Parenting — 2012 year in reviewFor the past three years, I have been proud to co-host the Carnival of Natural Parenting with Dionna of Code Name: Mama. We created the Carnival in January 2010 to bring together the awesome community of parenting bloggers who identify as "attachment" or "natural" parents.

In 2012, our writers have shared how they interact respectfully with other parents, even when they disagree; they've made us think about children and personal care as well as children and self-image; and they've opened up about parenting amidst challenges and extended family. The compilations of posts are a rich resource — I hope you will look through 2012's themes and articles and get to know some of the writers!

Join us!

Anyone can write for the Carnival of Natural Parenting, and you can write as few or as many times as you'd like throughout the year. You can read more about how to write for the Carnival as well as details on upcoming topics at our main Carnival page. Here are the topics for the next few months: In August we're discussing Sibling Revelry; in September we're sharing tips on staying safe; in October we're looking at Kids and Technology; in November we'll dish about Feeding Your Family; in December we'll write about The More Things Change; and in January we'll reminisce about The More Things Stay the Same. Topics are posted through March 2014 - come read more details at our main Carnival page. Sign up for deadline reminders with our blogging carnival calendar, or subscribe to monthly email updates here.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Sunday Surf: Seeking understanding

Welcome to the Sunday Surf, a tour of the best blogposts I've read throughout the week.

Sunday Surf: Seeking understanding == Hobo Mama
Mikko had his finger in his mouth all day and wouldn't tell us why.
Sunday Surf: Seeking understanding == Hobo Mama
I finally spotted the reason: Another lost tooth!
Silly kidlet lost it in the hallway. Super Mama found it!

This week's a special edition. I've done a roundup of posts related to Trayvon Martin:

  • Diversity training roundup

    With the Trayvon Martin heartbreak fresh in the public mind, I’ve been privy to some challenging and at times heated discussions about race and privilege and a lack of understanding and compassion that can be seen from some people. Here’s a roundup of thought-provoking posts I’ve been sharing and reading:
    • On #Trayvon. And Us. — Native Born
      You acquit. I acquit. We acquit each other when we look the other way when a remark is made about “those people” and why they are “that way.” We acquit each other when we accept the idea that “race is not an issue.”
    • Calling Out My Sisters — Mocha Momma
      You have words, sisters. You can’t use them for this?
      I love you, sisters, and I’ve been disappointed in the quiet corners where you find me to talk about race when I’ve seen you in the public arena defend marriage equality.
      You let everyone know, with your words, what’s important to you. 
      Are you mad? Are you grieving, too? Or is it your fear that’s keeping you from amplifying the messages of Black parents right now.
      I’ve seen it, sisters, and it’s a powerful thing when you make your friends go viral and when you jump on bandwagons, but when race is painted on the side, you tell me you’ll jump on the next one.
    • At this point, I would like to remind everyone exactly what Martin Luther King did, and it wasn’t that he “marched" or gave a great speech.

      My father told me with a sort of cold fury, "Dr. King ended the terror of living in the south."

      Please let this sink in and and take my word and the word of my late father on this.  If you are a white person who has always lived in the U.S. and never under a brutal dictatorship, you probably don’t know what my father was talking about. 

      But this is what the great Dr. Martin Luther King accomplished.  Not that he marched, nor that he gave speeches.

      He ended the terror of living as a black person, especially in the south.
    • President Obama’s remarks on Trayvon Martin (full transcript)— The Washington Post 
      But I did want to just talk a little bit about context and how people have responded to it and how people are feeling. You know, when Trayvon Martin was first shot, I said that this could have been my son. Another way of saying that is Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago. And when you think about why, in the African- American community at least, there’s a lot of pain around what happened here, I think it’s important to recognize that the African- American community is looking at this issue through a set of experiences and a history that — that doesn’t go away.
    • White people — In my spiral notebook
      And then I graduated, and did many things, and a few years later, one of these things was move to Chicago, start volunteering at this writing workshop, and ride my bike there, where one night, I happened to find myself next to a man who said to me, "[B]ecause there aren’t a bunch of black boys here, I don’t have to worry about my bike getting stolen." And I opened my mouth and nothing came out.

      This is it. This is it. This, right here, is how black boys die.

    If you’re a white person (as I am), this is a time to listen, to acknowledge what mothers of black children are feeling, to unpack your own privilege, to avoid derailing conversations, and stop running away from the tough topics.
    If we want the world to change, we all need to work to be the change. Peace to the families who are heartbroken tonight.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Giveaway: Bandelettes Anti-Chafing Thigh Bands = 3 Winners! = $15 ARV {8.22; US}

Hobo Mama wants you to know she's a professional blogger! Look at how professional she's being!

Hobo Mama Giveaway: Bandelettes Anti-Chafing Thigh Bands = 3 Winners! = $15 ARV {8.22; US}Bandelettes is offering our readers a giveaway of a pair of Anti-Chafing Thigh Bands to THREE winners! Each pair is worth $15, so combined this giveaway has a value of $45.

Bandelettes are sexy yet functional inner-thigh guards that fit snugly but comfortably under skirts, dresses, and shorts to prevent irritating rub and heat rashes.



My quest for the solution to chub rub

Last year I wrote one of my inadvertently most popular posts: "No-chafing options for skirts: The pettipants search begins" about my determination to find appropriate undergarments that would be comfortable in hot weather, be non-binding on my admittedly larger-than-average thighs, and able to stop thigh chafing in its tracks.

Little did I know there was a product out there that could do all of those things — plus, be attractive! I know! I was excited, too!

Bandelettes contacted me first in the comments on my post, and I decided to write them to see if they'd be up for a review and giveaway. And: Check it out. History made itself!

My Bandelettes experience

Size

First things first: You measure around your thigh at its widest point to determine your Bandelettes size, so there's no guess work. They come in sizes A (21-22") through E (29-30"), so even I found one that fit me. Bandelettes are basically like a wider version of the band that's present at the top of thigh highs. Well, I'd worn thigh-highs before, and I was worried that it would be like those one-size-fits-most-but-not-me experiences where the band was constricting and rolled up. Not so! The size I needed was exactly right on my thighs and fit snugly without slipping or binding. Score!

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: The pirates have landed!

The pirates have landed! == Hobo Mama

Ahoy, who be this young swashbuckler?

The pirates have landed! == Hobo Mama

Alrik the Shrimp, fearsome buccaneer of the American main.

The pirates have landed! == Hobo Mama

Arrrr!

The pirates have landed! == Hobo Mama

Alrik the Shrimp be small yet fierce. His handmaiden, Mistress Lauren "Rumcakes" O'Malley, serves as an admirable crow's nest.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

How we simplify our family life


Welcome to the July edition of the Simply Living Blog Carnival - With Kids cohosted by Mandy at Living Peacefully with Children, Laura at Authentic Parenting, Jennifer at True Confessions of a Real Mommy, and Joella at Fine and Fair. This month, we write about keeping things simple with our kids. Please check out the links to posts by our other participants at the end of this post.





These are our experiences and tips on how our family lives more simply. Some of our experiences are a little fringe, so I don't expect everyone to be able to apply them — but maybe it will give you some food for thought!

How to simplify childcare

Sam and I both are self-employed, so we trade off taking care of our kids and working. I don't think that's all too common, but it's working well for us — we both get lots of family time but also time to earn money and pursue our passions.

How to simplify food

We eat the same things over and over — and like it! Hey, if you know what you like, you know what you like. I've never gotten frustrated by eating something yummy repeatedly. Sometimes I think, Oh, no, that must mean I'm so boring. But when I can reframe it by saying, "We're living in simplicity," suddenly it's something that came out of a gauzy magazine with soft-focus photographs of flowers and a delicious, oft-repeated meal on white plates in the foreground. And then it's in style! What we tend to do is pick meals and snacks we like, then eat them to death for weeks and months. Once we've gotten bored of one or two, we've usually glommed onto another favorite that we then eat and eat until we can rotate back to an earlier one. Easy-peasy! We don't have to menu plan, and we always have the ingredients we need or know what to buy when we're at the store.

How to simplify socializing

We don't do much of it. We're all, so far (Alrik's an unknown), introverts. We need a lot of time to decompress after being social. So we just … don't see other friends all that much. I don't want any snarky questions about how, then, my homeschoolers socialize. We do, and they're not feral, thankyouverymuch, but we limit it to what works for our peace of mind: about one or two playdates or other social outings per week.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Sunday Surf: Visiting the incarcerated

Welcome to the Sunday Surf, a tour of the best blogposts I've read throughout the week.

Sunday Surf: Visiting the incarcerated == Hobo Mama
Mikko played with this sweet adoptable kitty at the pet store for about
20 minutes straight. She loved it, and I bet she had a good nap after!

I've got links to share!

  • Secular Homeschooling Magazine: The Bitter Homeschooler's Wish List 

    The tone is rather … well … bitter, but I like that every now and again. It’s cathartic. Some of my faves:
    3 Quit interrupting my kid at her dance lesson, scout meeting, choir practice, baseball game, art class, field trip, park day, music class, 4H club, or soccer lesson to ask her if as a homeschooler she ever gets to socialize.
    […]
    6 Please stop telling us horror stories about the homeschoolers you know, know of, or think you might know who ruined their lives by homeschooling. You’re probably the same little bluebird of happiness whose hobby is running up to pregnant women and inducing premature labor by telling them every ghastly birth story you’ve ever heard. We all hate you, so please go away.
    7 We don’t look horrified and start quizzing your kids when we hear they’re in public school. Please stop drilling our children like potential oil fields to see if we’re doing what you consider an adequate job of homeschooling.
    […]
    12 If my kid’s only six and you ask me with a straight face how I can possibly teach him what he’d learn in school, please understand that you’re calling me an idiot. Don’t act shocked if I decide to respond in kind.
    […]
    18 If you can remember anything from chemistry or calculus class, you’re allowed to ask how we’ll teach these subjects to our kids. If you can’t, thank you for the reassurance that we couldn’t possibly do a worse job than your teachers did, and might even do a better one.
    […]
    20 Stop saying that my kid is shy, outgoing, aggressive, anxious, quiet, boisterous, argumentative, pouty, fidgety, chatty, whiny, or loud because he’s homeschooled. It’s not fair that all the kids who go to school can be as annoying as they want to without being branded as representative of anything but childhood.
    (Source: underbellie.com)

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Wilted spinach salad with tomato coulis {gluten-free, grain-free, vegetarian}


Welcome to the Festival of Food Carnival. This month, we celebrate Recipes from the Garden!  Hosted by Diary of a First Child and Hybrid Rasta Mama, you're welcome to join us next time, or if you have a previously published recipe you'd like to share, add it to the linky below.




This is one in a series of guest posts by other bloggers. Read to the end for a longer biographical note on today's guest blogger, my partner and husband, Crackerdog Sam.

Since the carnival is about using up our garden produce, I considered the elements we've always had in (over)abundance — tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and sweet onion — and had Sam share a yummy recipe that uses all four! Enjoy.

Wilted spinach salad with tomato coulis == grain-free, vegetarian = Hobo Mama

Guest post by Crackerdog Sam

A couple years ago, Lauren and I ate at a crepe restaurant where the star of the dish was something called "tomato coulis," which we'd never had before. I looked for it in stores, but couldn't find any pre-made, and when I looked up recipes online there was a vast array of options people were calling "coulis," from versions akin to chunky soup to versions resembling a smooth ketchup. Ours was more like a coarse pesto, which I couldn't find a duplicate for.

So after a great deal of experimentation, combining this and that technique, I have perfected my favorite version of coulis, which works equally well as a salad topping (presented here), a salsa (with chips), a sandwich spread (on patty melts), and a pasta sauce (over cheese tortellini). I also really like using it in a spicy version of tuna salad but using tilapia, a little mayo, and coulis. It acts just like a tuna salad would (you can do sandwiches, or casseroles, or eat it in lettuce leaves) but is much more interesting.

Coulis is a garlicky, sweet, salty and tangy intense flavor that's great to have on hand to liven up a dish.

Salad ingredients (serves 4):

  • 9 oz spinach
  • a few drizzles olive oil
  • 4 oz feta cheese
  • 1 avocado
  • 1 cup (or more) tomato coulis

Coulis ingredients (makes 2 cups, so store the leftovers in a jar in the fridge):

  • 3 oz package sun-dried tomato halves, dry packed
  • about 24 medium-sized leaves basil (leaves from a 1.5 oz bunch)
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 cup diced tomato
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup minced sweet onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper

Dietary/allergy notes:

Vegetarian, gluten-free, grain-free, egg-free, nut-free, sweetener-free. Leave off the feta to have it dairy-free, vegan, and paleo.

Wilted spinach salad with tomato coulis == grain-free, vegetarian = Hobo Mama

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Happy Fourth!

Fourth of July! Time for burgers and explosions and celebration.


Happy Fourth! == Hobo Mama

Mikko and Alrik were

so excited to be over at their aunt's house;
they ran around like energizer bunnies the whole time.

Happy Fourth! == Hobo Mama

Slicing the watermelon. You gotta have watermelon.

Happy Fourth! == Hobo Mama

Plate for the kids. I'm happy to report this was mostly eaten.

Happy Fourth! == Hobo Mama

The grown-ups enjoyed blue-cheese celery in buffalo sauce.
I don't know how appealing the picture makes it look, but oh. my. gosh.

Happy Fourth! == Hobo Mama

We enjoyed a "big mac salad" with plenty of secret sauce.
This is a hilarious Sam creation that's surprisingly paleo, yo.
Chopped-up burgers on cabbage or greens, ketchup, and the secret sauce.
Which is some sort of blend of his own mayonnaise, relish, and more ketchup, I think?
Well, who knows, right? It's a secret!

Happy Fourth! == Hobo Mama

Alrik enjoyed a new tool set his aunt bought him
for his birthday that had finally arrived.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Children's black & white views (no pun intended … kind of)


Welcome to the July 2013 Carnival of Natural Parenting: Learning About Diversity
This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month our participants have shared how they teach their children to embrace and respect the variety of people and cultures that surround us. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.




Children's black & white views (no pun intended … kind of) == Hobo Mama
Children tend to view the world in black & white, and they choose sides early.

When I was a kid, I had it decided: The Army was good. (My dad was in the Army.) The Air Force was bad. (This despite the fact that I had friends whose parents were in the Air Force.)

Living in houses was good; apartments were bad.

My favorite color, blue, was good. Red was bad.

My husband has his own stories. His father worked for Ford, so he knew that Chevrolets were evil.

We both were raised religiously, so of course our belief system was the right one in our eyes.

Children tend to view the world in black and white, us vs. them, making groups and categories as they sort the world and valuing the ones they belong to.

This is entirely natural … and then, when you're out in public and your six-year-old says something incredibly racist, loudly (ahem) … you realize it can also be problematic.

How do I, as a parent and an adult, with years of experience and a large array of grays added to my palette, confront the either-or mentality of a little child? How do I teach him there is value even in what we are not, and guide him to keep socially offensive opinions to himself when we're around others who might be hurt — and yet not shut down the tough, intricate conversations I want him to be comfortable having with me?

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Sunday Surf: Summery out-and-about

Welcome to the Sunday Surf, a tour of the best blogposts I've read throughout the week.

Sunday Surf: Summery out-and-about == Hobo Mama
Summer means going outdoors — a lot. It's such a brief season here that I feel guilty if we miss even a day of it! This day I took the kids on an "adventure" to a Kidd Valley hamburger place on Lake Washington. Kids love running around in grass, crossing bridges, and ogling naked sculptures. Score!

Sunday Surf: Summery out-and-about == Hobo Mama

Sunday Surf: Summery out-and-about == Hobo Mama
Alrik liked pointing out that these statues could poop if they wanted to.
He's an excellent nakey-bum potty learner.

Sunday Surf: Summery out-and-about == Hobo Mama
Another day, but for your amusement:
Babywearing pirates at the Seafair Pirates Landing!

Good links to share!

  • I love these! And despite living in an age where dresses from the neck past the ankles were the norm, no one was telling these women to cover up or go to the bathroom to feed their babies.

    Victorian Women Breastfeeding

    At a time when when modesty was considered fundamental in women, the above images depict an unlikely fashion amongst mid-19th century mothers.
    According to Gwen Sharp, an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Nevada State College, ‘The use of wet nurses had never been as common in the U.S. as in Europe, and it became even less popular by the early 1800s; breastfeeding your own child became a central measure of your worth as a mother. ‘Cultural constructions of femininity became highly centered on motherhood and the special bond between a mother and her children in the Victorian era.’
    Given that the images are daguerrotypes - the first commercial photographic process - the subjects do not appear quite as at ease as their modern counterparts might. The women and their babies would have had to sit still for approximately ten minutes while the image developed on a silvered copper plate - presumably a challenge with small children involved.
    via Emily
  • Sarah’s Biggest Homeschooling Mistake: Not Traveling More 

    Don’t wait for the perfect timing to get out there and see the world. I need this encouragement.
    (Source: codenamemama.com)
  • Instead of Hitting - Mothering Community 

    Peggy O’Mara’s description of (uncomfortably) moving from punishment to cooperation, with succinct explanations on why gentle parenting is not out-of-control parenting, and ideas for what to do to parent gently.
    Being humble, however, does not mean that we give up our authority. A parent’s authority is based not on being right all the time but on being the one in charge. You do not have to give up your authority as a parent or be permissive to parent in a more cooperative way. However, you do have to learn a new language, and it takes time. The more you practice cooperation, the more skilled at it you become.